The Right Move? Ensuring durable relocation after typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda) left four million people homeless. Local authorities are preparing to relocate thousands of them, to protect them from future disasters. However, current plans ignore key elements of sustainable relocation processes, and lack technical guidance and support. People may see their rights denied and become poorer and more vulnerable to disasters.

Similar gaps emerged previously in the Philippines and led to failed relocations. The government’s response to typhoon Haiyan should demonstrate increased political will to ‘do it right’ this time and resolve these issues once and for all.

Oxfam’s paper, ‘The Right Move?’, shares the results of a survey of 435 people at risk of relocation, and provides key recommendations on how the Philippines government, the international community and civil society can ensure a better and more successful relocation process.